How to: connect external subwoofer

[Luckydogg420]

There are two ways that you can connect a sub to your pinball machines.

The most simple way to do this is to buy a subwoofer with "high-level" inputs. If your sub has one of these then you can simply connect to the speaker wire form inside the cabinet to the "high level" inputs. If your sub has "left" and "right" inputs you can safely connect two games to one subwoofer.


Make sure you keep red to red, black to black. + to +, - to -

If your subwoofer does not have an internal crossover you can easily eliminate the high frequencies by installing a passive crossover (coil of wire) on the "+" wire, between the pinball and subwoofer


This is the easiest way to connect a sub to you game (or two).

 

[Luckydogg420]

If you want to connect a subwoofer by using the "low level" inputs you will need to buy additional equipment. But by using the "low level" inputs and extra equipment you can connect multiple (3 or more) pinball machines to one subwoofer.
The "low level" inputs are also called "RCA" wires.


To connect to this input safely YOU MUST reduce the the amplified "high level" speaker wires to a "low level" RCA wire.
This link was posted by Menace. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_401 ... -LC07.html

By using one of these you will safely reduce the high level output to a more manageable "low level" signal. You will connect this to the + and - speaker wires in your games.

 

[Pharoah007]

Well done.

Clear concise info like this is a asset.

Question... what about PC sound system subs....nod difference?)

 

[Luckydogg420]

Once you have a "low level" signal you can connect a mixer to combine signals to output to your sub.

http://store.acradiosupplyinc.com/rolls ... mixer.aspx



With a mixer like this you could combine the signal form 6 games (one mono connection each) into one subwoofer. 3 would be combined on the red wire, and 3 would be combined on the left.

 

[Luckydogg420]

A low level signal can be used wherever you connect an RCA wire.

Connect to your PC, VCR, stage amp, wherever

 

[Luckydogg420]

If you want to connect your pinball machine to a PC speaker (sub) then you will need to run wires from your machines speaker into a "high level" to "low level" converter


Then from here you simply need a wire to change the "low level" RCA wire into a 3.5" stereo jack (what the PC speakers use).

 

[Luckydogg420]

If your subwoofer does not have a built in crossover, or If you just wanna hook up regular loud speaker.

The best thing to look for is an "active subwoofer crossover". If you get the right one it will be able to connect directly to the " high level" signal from your game. Look for a crossover with a frequency range from 20 - 20000htz. The human ear cannot hear below 20htz but if you find a crossover that goes lower, and you have a good enough speaker you will still feel the thud of the music.




http://www.thommessen.com/english/produ ... bway_x.htm

The upper range of your sub crossover is important, your subwoofer can get damaged if the signal coming to it has not been split. This setting will greatly affect the sound of your subwoofer. You do not want your subwoofer to receive anything higher then 200htz and depending on your music style and personal taste it may be set much less.

General settings. That I like.
80htz = hip hop and dance music, electronic drums and synthesized bass sounds
120htz = rock n roll, more complete drums sound.